Monarch: Faro to Birmingham

The carrier: Monarch

About

Monarch is expressly designed to get tourists from the UK to sunny territory. It flies from London, Aberdeen, Birmingham and Manchester to destinations in Spain (including the Canary Islands) and Portugal, as well as Gibraltar and Larnaca.

Primarily a holiday airline, Monarch is also referred to as "Monarch Scheduled" to differentiate its scheduled services from its charter capacity. "Scheduled" flights currently account for over half of Monarch's flights.

Upside

Great route strength from the UK to the Mediterranean.

Downside

Airline does not serve city break destinations.

Baggage

* Carry-on: One item of hand luggage not exceeding 5 kg is permitted, free of charge. (Note: Passengers are not able to combine weight of carry-on and check-in baggage)
* Checked: Up to five separate bags, not to exceed 20 kg (€7.50 will be charged for every kg over.). You will be charged for each checked bag (€12.50 per bag online, €23 per bag at airport and through the call center).

* Please visit Monarch’s website for more information on its baggage policy.

Seating

You may pre-reserve seats for a fee of €9 at the time of booking or at check-in. Seats with extended leg room are €24 per person for short haul flights, more for long hauls. (With a name like Monarch, let's hope those seats are fit for a king!)

Check-in and Ticketing

Online check-in is available from 7 days until 4.5 hours before departure.  If you book your hold and checked bags online, you can save 40% off the airport price!  Note that online checking is only available for bookings made directly through Monarch, not a travel agent or tour guide.

Tip

Book your baggage on-line, where the cost is at less for checked bags in-person or over the phone. Save your money and don't book premium (unless you absolutely need the extra leg room).

Departure: Faro, Portugal - Faro (FAO)

Faro Airport or "Aeroporto Internacional de Faro" is one of Europe's leading low-cost hub airports. It's in Portugal. Location: Faro Airport is located 5 km (3 miles) from Faro, Portugal's city center. Transport: - Bus: EVA Buses provide service to and from the airport and various destinations in central Faro. The timetable is posted near the airport's information desk. - Taxi: Taxis are available outside the main terminal building. Service: The information desk is located in the main terminal building. There are banks and ATMs located throughout the airport as well as a currency exchange. Several restaurants, cafes, and bars as well as shops with duty-free items are available. Other airport facilities include a pharmacy and Internet access points. more...

Arrival: Birmingham, United Kingdom - Birmingham Intl (BHX)

Birmingham International Airport is one of the UK's busiest hubs. Well serviced by flag carrier and low-cost airlines alike, Birmingham is a major launch pad for bmibaby, flybe, and Thomsonfly. In 2007, the airport won the Airports Council International's award for Best Airport in Europe in its traffic category. Location: Birmingham International Airport 10 km (six miles) southeast of central Birmingham in the borough of Solihull, West Midlands, England. Transport: - Rail: The Air-Rail shuttle service is free and links the airport to the Birmingham International Train Station in a few minutes. Train operators include CrossCountry and Virgin Trains, which offer service between London and Glasgow via Birmingham. For more information consult the railway's Official Website. - Bus: Two bus lines transport passengers between the airport and central Birmingham. Both run an average of once every half-hour and take about 20 minutes. - Taxi: Black cabs are able to carry up to five people with luggage. They can be found at the taxi stand outside the terminals. Service: The airport contains information desks as well as the Visitor Center in terminal 1 for travel information. There are ATMs and currency exchange kiosks in both terminals. Aside from an extensive range of restaurants and shops, there are also postal facilities, 24-hour medical centers, and a prayer room.